Erryn reviews ‘Drama Detective’ (Nicky and Noah Mysteries Book 5) by Joe Consentino. The ebook was published October 28, 2017, 195 pages. The audiobook was released September 10, 2021. It is narrated by Griswold Addams and is 5 hrs and 55 mins. A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Why I read this book: I enjoy a good campy cozy.
To read the audiobook review of Drama Queen (Nicky and Noah Mysteries Book 1) click here.
To read the audiobook review of Drama Muscle (Nicky and Noah Mysteries Book 2) click here.
To read the audiobook review of Drama Luau (Nicky and Noah Mysteries Book 4) click here.
Theater professor Nicky Abbondanza is directing a Sherlock Holmes musical in a professional summer stock production at Treemeadow College, costarring his husband and theatre professor colleague Noah Oliver as Dr. John Watson.
When cast members begin toppling over like hammy actors at a curtain call, Nicky dons Holmes’ persona on stage and off. Once again, Nicky and Noah will need to use their drama skills to figure out who is lowering the street lamps on the actors before the handsome couple get half-baked on Baker Street.
You will be applauding and shouting “Bravo” for Joe Cosentino’s fast-paced, side-splittingly funny, edge-of-your-seat entertaining fifth novel in this delightful series. Curtain up, the game is afoot!
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My Review:
I did a Master’s degree in theatre, so I’m always game for a book set in the dramatic world of the stage. I enjoyed the last Nicky and Noah book, so seized on the opportunity to listen to this one. I will say I’m enjoying listening to these books. Griswold Addams does a great job mixing the camp, the flare, and Nicky’s frequent asides. And the comparisons. Oh my God, the comparisons. Hilarious. Here’s just one:
“There was a knock at our bedroom door. Noah and I slipped into our T-shirts and boxers faster than exotic dancers in the back room of a strip club during a police raid.”
There were so many good ones – especially the ones involving politics. Quite relevant these days.
Anyway, the premise of the book is cute – Nicky is directing Sherlock Holmes is a Homo? But as actors start getting murdered, he has to step into the spotlight. Now, one or two murders wouldn’t be surprising – given this is Nicky and wherever he goes, murder follows. But as the body count rose, credulity was stretched. By the end I couldn’t believe the show was going on. But the plot demanded it. I put logic aside and allowed myself to be swept away.
This was another cute cozy with love at the heart of the story. With a little mystery thrown in, this is an enjoyable tale made all the better on audio. Can’t wait to see where Nicky and Noah go next.
My Rating:
8/10 Points of Gold (100% Recommended) – Compares to 4/5 Stars
JOE COSENTINO was voted Favorite MM Mystery, Humorous, and Contemporary Author of the Year by the readers of Divine Magazine for Drama Queen, the first Nicky and Noah mystery novel. He is also the author of the remaining Nicky and Noah mysteries: Drama Muscle, Drama Cruise, Drama Luau, Drama Detective, Drama Fraternity, Drama Castle, Drama Dance, Drama Faerie, Drama Runway, Drama Christmas, Drama Pan; the Player Piano Mysteries: The Player and The Player’s Encore; the Jana Lane Mysteries: Paper Doll, Porcelain Doll, Satin Doll, China Doll, Rag Doll; the Cozzi Cove series: Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back, Moving Forward, Stepping Out, New Beginnings, Happy Endings; the In My Heart Anthology: An Infatuation & A Shooting Star; the Tales from Fairyland Anthology: The Naked Prince and Other Tales from Fairyland and Holiday Tales from Fairyland; the Bobby and Paolo Holiday Stories Anthology: A Home for the Holidays, The Perfect Gift, The First Noel; and the Found At Last Anthology: Finding Giorgio and Finding Armando. His books have won numerous Book of the Month awards and Rainbow Award Honorable Mentions. As an actor, Joe appeared in principal roles in film, television, and theatre, opposite stars such as Bruce Willis, Rosie O’Donnell, Nathan Lane, Jason Robards, and Holland Taylor. He received his Master of Fine Arts degree from Goddard College, Master’s degree from SUNY New Paltz, and is currently a happily married college theatre professor/department chair residing in New York State.
Rainbow Gold Reviews 